The Gospel reminds us today that God wants to be a part of our every decision — whether big or small.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. — Mark 1:35

After preaching, healing, and casting out demons, the people of Capernaum wanted Jesus to stay with them. Yet, after going to a deserted place to pray, Jesus told His disciples:

“Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” — Mark 1:38

Probably facing a major decision whether to stay in Capernaum and be a local hero or to go to other villages and risk being persecuted in order to fulfill His purpose, Jesus went to a deserted place to pray. Being God Himself, Jesus still asked for the Father’s wisdom, guidance, and will for His own life.

Like Jesus, God is calling us to once again listen to Him, to seek His guidance, will, and wisdom in every decision whether big or small. He wants to be a part of every moment of our lives.

Let us learn to listen to His voice again in the silence of our hearts.

But with all the noise surrounding us, including the noise from our social media channels, we may have to go to deserted places or turn off our phones for a while to pray, to find His voice in the silence.

If all of us, especially those in power, would only listen to God’s voice in our hearts and decide based on what God wants us to do, the world would be a more loving and peaceful place.